South32 to Study Steam Electrification at Worsley Alumina Refinery

South32 Alumina emissions

The Australian miner aims to cut emissions using electric steam solutions at its largest alumina facility.

South32 to Study Steam Electrification at Worsley Alumina Refinery

South32 has launched a pre-feasibility study to explore steam electrification pathways at its 3.7mn t/yr Worsley alumina refinery in Western Australia. The study is supported by A$4.4mn ($2.85mn) in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (Arena) and will assess four decarbonization options, including mechanical vapour recompression and electric boilers.

The alumina industry is Australia’s largest consumer of process heat and emitted 15mn t of CO2e in 2021, with 70% of these emissions resulting from fossil-fuel-powered steam generation. South32 has already shifted part of Worsley’s energy mix from coal to gas due to local coal supply issues, but steam electrification could drive further emissions reduction.

South32 aims to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and reduce operational emissions by 50% by 2035 from 2021 levels. Arena’s funding aligns with its Industrial Transformation Stream program, designed to help existing industrial facilities lower emissions while boosting technological readiness. Notably, Worsley produced 3.18mn t of CO2e in FY2023–2024, earning 117,189 safeguard mechanism credits (SMCs) for staying below its emissions baseline.

The Metalnomist Commentary

South32’s Worsley decarbonization study marks a critical step in Australia’s broader industrial emissions strategy. As steam generation accounts for the majority of alumina refining emissions, electrification could set a precedent for the global sector’s low-carbon transition.